United States Attorney’s Office Recognizes Vanessa R. Waldref as a 2024 YWCA Woman of Achievement

Spokane, Washington – YWCA Spokane announced that eight outstanding local women will be honored in the community throughout February and March, leading up to YWCA Spokane’s 42nd Annual Women of Achievement Awards Ceremony and Luncheon, held Friday, March 15th at the Spokane Convention Center from 11:00AM-1:00PM, where they will be officially recognized. U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref is being awarded for her work in Government and Public Service.

To be awarded a YWCA Women of Achievement Award, a woman must embody YWCA Spokane’s mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. The selected honorees give generously of themselves to make Spokane a better place for all to live. 

The winners of the 2024 Women of Achievement Awards are:

1. Melody Chang Heaton – Arts and Culture Award
2. Colene Rubertt – Business and Industry Award
3. Kristine Hoover – Carl Maxey Racial and Social Justice Award
4. Samantha Clark – Community Enhancement Award
5. Stephaine Courtney – Education Award
6. Vanessa Waldref – Government and Public Service Award
7. Denise Smart – Science, Technology and Environment Award
8. Sindhu Surapaneni – Young Woman of Achievement Award

In announcing the 2024 awards, YWCA Spokane highlighted that U.S. Attorney Waldref

“exemplifies the call to protect, improve, and maintain the public’s well-being, health, and safety through her service to our community.  As the first woman to serve as U.S. Attorney for Eastern Washington, Vanessa works tirelessly to protect the district from pressing issues of violent crime, child exploitation, fraud, corruption, drug trafficking, and environmental degradation.  She has dedicated the majority of her legal career to public service, working as an attorney for the Department of Justice in various roles.  She is a public servant, a leader, and a trailblazer.”  

For 42 years, YWCA Spokane has celebrated successful women in the community for their achievements, along with their commitment to giving back to the Spokane community. Established with the goal of increasing community awareness and appreciation for the diverse contributions of women leaders in Spokane, YWCA Spokane has honored over 260 women in the region.

Additional information regarding the 2024 Women of Achievement and the event honoring these incredible women can be found here: https://ywcaspokane.org/2024-woa-honorees/